Around 2000 Welsh sailors help set World Record
by Hamish Stuart, Welsh Yachting Association 25 Sep 2014 00:04 NZST
21 September 2014
Bart's Bash at Royal Anglesey YC © WYA
Around 2,000 sailors all round Wales have gone into the Guinness Book of World Records after taking part in the biggest ever sailing race.
At least 25 sailors per club at venues throughout Wales joined fellow watersport enthusiasts round the world in Bart's Bash, to raise money for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation in memory of the Olympic medallist who died while preparing for the America's Cup last year.
There were around 750 boats in Wales taking part, with just under 2,000 sailors involved.
British Marine Federation figures show that participation in boating in Wales has doubled over the last five years, so many taking part in this Guinness World Record attempt shows the growing strength of the sport in Wales.
Clubs from all round Wales, including Cardiff Bay, Saundersfoot, Port Dinorwic, Royal Anglesey and Clywedog, joined 15,000 sailors at 750 clubs from 65 countries across the world in taking part in the one kilometre race on Sunday – the largest sailing event in history.
"This was a fantastic example of the sailing community of all ages and abilities coming together to support a wonderful cause – and have a bit of fun while they were doing it," said Welsh Yachting Association chief executive Steven Morgan.
"It is another example of how sailing is growing in Wales – along with the importance of sailing to Wales.
"Sailing is a healthy and inclusive family orientated sport that allows for lifelong participation regardless of ability or disability. The WYA's participation initiatives deliver over 10,000 first experiences at community based clubs and commercial training centres across Wales
"The clean, unpolluted open waters that Wales offers, surrounded by stunning seascapes and fascinating maritime heritage, shows why there is significant growth with both cruising and watersports enthusiasts coming here.
"Marine tourism is a major contributor to the Welsh economy, worth £282 million pounds a year which makes it one of the most important leisure activities in Wales supporting more than 7,000 full-time jobs, according to the British Marine Foundation.
"Sailing is one of the sports in which Wales is most successful at national and international levels – from Olympic silver medallist Hannah Mills, world champion paralympian Stephen Thomas, to the numbers of Welsh sailors in the British sailing Team at senior level and all the way through the Youth and Junior Squads.
"Fifty per cent of the British Sailing Team at the new EUROSAF Youth Championships came from Wales. Welsh sailors won two gold medals for Team GBR at the event."